Objectives
: To compare the RT-PCR Allplex SARS-CoV-2/FluA/FluB/RSV Assay (Allplex assay) with other methods of detection of VOC B.1.1.7.
Methods
: Suspected and non-suspected cases of VOC B.1.1.7 were defined according to the VirSNiP assay, which detects N501Y and deletion H69-V70. For pre-screening, the Allplex™ and TaqPath assays were used.
Results
: One hundred and sixteen suspected and 113 non-suspected cases were included. In the suspected cases, the Allplex assay showed N-gene dropout, or delayed Ct values of 6.27±1.21 and 6.66±1.41 compared with those of the RdRP and S-gene target, respectively. Agreement between the Allplex and TaqPath assays was 100% when the RdRP and S-gene targets had Ct values <35. Agreement between the Allplex and VirSNiP assays was 100% with Ct value <30.
Conclusions
: The Allplex assay showed excellent agreement with the current pre-screening method for VOC B.1.1.7. In addition, its automated processing enhances the feasibility of widespread use in laboratories.
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of liver stiffness (LS) on the response to direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based therapy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in cirrhotic patients. Those patients included in two Spanish prospective cohorts of patients receiving therapy based on at least one DAA, who showed a baseline LS ≥ 12.5 kPa and who had reached the scheduled time point for sustained virological response evaluation 12 weeks after completing therapy (SVR12) were analysed. Pegylated interferon/ribavirin-based therapy plus an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor (PR-PI group) was administered to 198 subjects, while 146 received interferon-free regimens (IFN-free group). The numbers of patients with SVR12 according to an LS < 21 kPa versus ≥21 kPa were 59/99 (59.6%) versus 46/99 (46.5%) in the PR-PI group (p = 0.064) and 41/43 (95.3%) versus 90/103 (87.4%) in the IFN-free group (p = 0.232). Corresponding figures for the relapse rates in those who presented end-of-treatment response (ETR) were 3/62 (4.8%) versus 10/56 (17.9%, p = 0.024) and 1/42 (2.4%) versus 8/98 (8.2%, p = 0.278), respectively. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex and use of interferon, a baseline LS ≥ 21 kPa was identified as an independent predictor of relapse [adjusted odds ratio, AOR (95% confidence interval, CI): 4.228 (1.344-13.306); p = 0.014] in those patients with ETR. LS above 21 kPa is associated with higher rates of relapse to DAA-based therapy in HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis in clinical practice. LS could help us to tailor the duration and composition of DAA-based combinations in cirrhotic subjects, in order to minimise the likelihood of relapse.
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